Support has been put in place for pupils and staff at the school three-year-old Muhammad Esmael attended in Swansea. The little boy was killed in a house fire in West Cross on Saturday, July 1.
Police and fire crews attended the property on Gonhill at 1.20pm where the young child was pronounced dead. On Monday it was confirmed that a second family member, his dad Naemat Lawa Esmael, had also passed away, having been treated in hospital over the weekend.
A spokesperson for Whitestone Primary School said: "All of us at Whitestone Primary School are devastated to hear that one of our nursery pupils, Muhammad Esmael, as well as his father, has tragically died. Our thoughts are with their family and friends and we offer our sincere and deepest condolences.
"Muhammad was a popular, well-loved little boy who was settling in well to school life and making many friends. We are a very close and caring school community and this will be a difficult time for us all, so support is being put in place for any pupil or staff member that needs it."
Read more: Father of three-year-old killed in house fire in West Cross has also died
In a letter to parents and carers of pupils at the school, which WalesOnline has seen, headteacher Bethan Peterson wrote: "Many of you will be aware that tragically there was a fire at a residential property within our community on Saturday. I am desperately sad to say one of our nursery pupils died and members of his family are receiving hospital treatment. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and we offer our sincere and deepest condolences."
Mrs Peterson goes on to share a tribute to Muhammad and explain that there will be support available for pupils at the school. "The pupil was a popular, well-loved little boy who was settling in well to school life and making many friends," she wrote. "Whitestone is a very close and caring school and this will be a difficult time for us all. The local education authority is arranging support for pupils and any of our staff members that need it. Our staff will also be helping each other while caring for all our pupils as well.
"We will be working to keep school life as normal as possible for our pupils but should you have any concerns about your child please raise them with us."
The letter to parents comes after an update from South Wales Police, issued on Monday, July 3 explained: "South Wales Police continue to investigate a fatal house fire at Gonhill, West Cross, Swansea on Saturday, July 1. A man taken to hospital in a critical condition has sadly passed away this morning. Officers can confirm his identity as 51-year-old Naemat Lawa Esmael. His three-year-old son who died at the scene can be confirmed as Muhammad Esmael."
Detective Inspector Carl Price said: "Our thoughts remain with the family, friends and the local community following this tragic incident. We are working alongside the fire service to establish the cause of the fire."
